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Define "gifted"

there have been a lot of posts about children being gifted and I thought it would be a good idea to have some of the teachers to define what exactly gifted means. I would also like to add I think all children have their own special unique gifts. We are all unique. I do not think being academically gifted necessarily makes one child better than another. I feel our values, beliefs and choices are what determines our quality of life as well as the attitude we choose to have in daily situations. So just to clear up all the confusion between "smart" and "gifted" can someone give an official definition of gifted.

I think it's more than just being smart or catching on to things quickly. When both ds2 and dd were considered for the high ability class, we were sent a questionaire that I think covers a lot of what makes a child "gifted" as opposed to just really smart.

Advanced Language-

Uses words that seem advanced for the age-level expectations

Rewords own language for younger or less mature children

Explains how unrelated things are similar

Uses words for time concepts (clock and calendar) accurately

Uses similes, metaphors, or analogies: "A _____ is really like a _____ because _____"

I remember academic knowledge well, I test very well, and I have a large vocabulary. That was the obvious difference between me and my peers in school. I just have a very analytical mind.

I also had that pesky problem of giving up more easily than other kids when things got tough bc I was so used to not having to try too hard to understand. ; )

Your description fit me exactly when I was in elementary school except my reasoning on giving up or what I would tell myself is I would rather quit then fail because then it was within my control. As an adult I see the error in that reasoning and I am now able to allow things to happen that are out of my control. My dd does not share my love of school. She is more like her father a social butterfly. She always has to be center of attention and entertaining while as a child I was perfectly content with my head in a book.

I'm not sure that there is one set definition. From what I've seen on here, different schools have different requirements. I can only tell you how our school determines giftedness from my youngest son having gone through the process and entering the gifted program.

He was given an initial test that let them know whether or not it was worth his continuing the process. After that we and his teacher were given questionnaires about him to fill out, then came another test, then an IQ test (our school requires an IQ of 130+), and then- the results.

My daughter does very well academically and tests advanced in all academic areas of her standardized testing, BUT has not been recommended for gifted testing. She is in high ability classes (as is my son), BUT that is not the same as gifted in our school.

Gifted classes are separate and ours don't focus on subjects at all- they teach and foster ways to think outside the box- creative problem-solving skills.

At any rate, I agree with the sentiment of your post- I think all kids have abilities to varying degrees in some area (my oldest son struggles MIGHTILY in school, but has a talent for all things mechanical.) I also think that no matter how extraordinary their raw talent in any area (academic, non-academic- whatever area...) if they have a bad attitude or aren't willing to work hard, raw talent is probably not going to take them far. Someone with more mediocre raw talent that is has a good attitude and puts in the effort can surpass them.

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